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Hello there CFL fans! It seems like it was just yesterday that the Argonauts were celebrating their Grey Cup win with a star studded defensive line, while being congratulated by the league Commissioner Mark Cohon.
With training camps officially open and pre-season games just that much closer, I thought now would be the best time to look back at some of the most intriguing off season stories. Think of this as a 2012 CFL Off-Season for Dummies article.
I promise it will be 100 per cent JaMarcus Russell free.
In no particular order (I like to wait till Week 2 before I get accused of being biased) here are 10 stories that caught my attention:
1) Ricky Ray contract extension
First my non-football thoughts: Being a sports fan in Toronto ain’t easy.
Thus, the news of Ray’s contract extension through the 2015 season was received with just a wee bit extra joy around these parts.
This is a big story for a franchise that no longer has to worry about the most important position in the game. Considering all the holes that need to be filled on the defensive side, not having to deal with this burden will be huge for the front office.
As for RR, look for him to improve on a 2012 season that saw him set the team record for completion percentage while tossing for over 4,000 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Ray spent much of training camp and the first part of the season adjusting to a new coaching staff and a turnstile of wide receivers. By the end of the year no signal caller was playing better. Ray piled up 689 yards and eight touchdowns in his final two regular season games then followed it up with a near flawless post-season run.
The Argonauts easily have the best QB in the East, with apologies to Anthony Calvillo, who is so old he can remember when you used to be able to smoke on planes. It’s true! It really happened; ‘Mad Men’ is not lying to you kids.
2) Drew Tate named Calgary’s starting quarterback
Let’s face it; short of trading Kevin Glenn, Calgary is going to have to deal with a dollop of a quarterback controversy this training camp. How could they not considering how well Glenn played (especially in the Western Final!) in place of an oft-injured Drew Tate?
Knowing that, I think it was a smart move by John Hufnagel to end any speculation and just name Tate the starter going into camp. This may not be fair to Glenn, but then again sports have never been about fair, especially when it comes to the quarterback position.
Tate is younger with a higher ceiling and if he falters or gets hurt the team can always turn to the best back-up in the CFL. On a side note please allow me an old-man moment and say to Tate, cut your hair! That sir, is not the hair for a starting quarterback. Drew, go get yourself a good old fashioned buzz cut. It’s easier to manage and to quote Abe Simpson: “Now, Johnny Unitas, there’s a haircut you could set your watch to.”
3) Chad Owens’ debut in the Octagon.
Alright, I admit that considering Owens did not get hurt this may not be as big a story as I am about to make it out.
But I can’t help but get on my soapbox for a moment.
I’m fine with an athlete trying different training techniques in the off-season to get them ready for the following year. And if that new direction leads you to Mixed Martial Arts, I’m cool with that, to an extent. Something like Drew Tate working out with former UFC fighter Guy Mezger, but not actually getting into the Octagon gets my blessing. 
But for Owens to actually step into the ring, is in my opinion unacceptable and smacks of selfishness. I understand it was “only” an amateur event but once the bell goes off and the other opponent starts swinging all bets are off about it being a safe or controlled environment.
I have nothing but respect for Owens who has worked so hard to become one of the most dangerous wide receivers in the game.
The man is a pillar in the community but he is also the most important member of the team not named “Ricky Ray”.
Once his CFL career is done he is free to start a tag team with GSP but until then here’s hoping he doesn’t fight again.
4) The Return of Emmanuel Arceneaux
A dangerous weapon back in 2010, Arceneaux’s return could not have come at a better time for a Lions receiving squad that has seen Geroy Simon traded to Saskatchewan (I’m going with Week 10 before I get used to seeing Simon in the Green & White) and the release Arland Bruce.
Arceneaux gives the Lions a big body who should put up big numbers playing with Travis Lulay. Before I move on to the next storyline, here is one semi-bold prediction: Shawn Gore will be a Top-4 receiver by the end of the season.
Gore was thrust into the leading receiver role from time to time last year, and considering the fact the Lions were 5-0 without Geroy in the lineup, Gore is primed to be “the guy” for the best quarterback in the league.
5) The trade of Mike Reilly
Edmonton seems to be a fitting landing spot for Mike Reilly. Everyone remembers what happened last year; Reilly stepping in for an injured Lulay, leading the Lions to a 39-19 win over these Eskimos, while clinching first place in the West for BC.
Reilly has been waiting in the wings for the past couple of years for the opportunity to compete for a no.1 job and the Eskimos will give him every opportunity to earn it.
All he will have to do is beat out Matt Nichols, Kerry Joseph and the estimated 45 other quarterbacks that will be brought into camp.
Reilly is 28 and is in that sweet spot of “now or never” for quarterbacks looking to make their mark. By the way good on first year GM Ed Hervey for quickly re-signing J.C. Sherritt, the man who picked off Reilly in that Week 16 matchup against B.C.
6) The return of John Chick to….
Saskatchewan! Chick’s return to the CFL had led to much hand-wringing among Roughriders fans and plenty of media speculation, with many believing he would re-unite with his old coach, Kent Austin in Hamilton. Instead, Chick returns to his old stomping grounds where he won a Grey Cup back in 2007. Saskatchewan, with just 39 sacks last season, certainly needed a player of Chick’s skills.
On a complete side note to this story, I love any news that involves Saskatchewan.
Not only does it automatically mean extra buzz but it also means extra trolling by other fan bases!
I found this message the day before Chick’s signing:
“Chick should go to the Tiger Cats where he can excel and likely play a post-season playoff game in the Eastern Semi-Final under a great coach. If he signs with the Riders he will become just another mediocre player on a mediocre team that MAY not play any post-season games if the Eskimos beat the Riders in their season series and improve with Reilly at QB.”
This message left by one lionsfan4life received an unprecedented -56 rating on the message board!. By the way, to “als rule”, my favourite frequent poster on CFL.ca…the gauntlet has been thrown down, time for you to step up your game.
7) The league’s new rules on contact in training camp
I’m guessing this story probably has fallen through the cracks for most fans but I think it needs to be mentioned. According to the new rules, hitting will only be allowed once a day during training camp.
Yes, I know this could mean some sloppy tackling early in the season but I love this move. Think about how much we have learned about head trauma, concussions and general player safety in the past five years and how much more we will learn about the long term effects of hits to the head.
I applaud any rule that can potentially help protect players not only for the present but also ensures they have a greater chance for living as normal a life after their playing days are done.
